Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski

Congress Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (37)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Sequoia National Park
  5. The Giant Forest
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A wonderful, short hike through the Giant Forest. ”

Brad H
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

1.9

Miles

3.0

KM

Point to Point

7,050' 2,149 m

High

6,837' 2,084 m

Low

350' 107 m

Up

314' 96 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Family Friendly Fantastic paved path with a visual experience of the giant sequoias that won't soon be forgotten by the young-ones.

Overview

This short loop will take longer than you might expect... You'll be looking upward constntly. Beware of sore necks!

Description

This is one of the easiest ways to see a bunch of the giant sequoias in a short amount of time.

The trail starts from the General Sherman Tree area and makes a winding loop around the grove. It doesn't make too much of difference which way you take it. There are lots of trails intersecting the Congress Trail, but everything is very well signed, so this doesn't present too much of a challenge.

Flora & Fauna

Five of the ten largest trees (by trunk volume) are located in the grove.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Shared By:

Brad H
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 37 votes

#2

in The Giant Forest

#353

Overall
  4.5 from 37 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in The Giant Forest

#53

in California

#353

Overall
7 Views Last Month
3,923 Since May 29, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
58%
21%
21%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

The Trees!
Jul 6, 2015 near Three R…, CA
MK with The Senate - Sequoia NP
Jan 20, 2016 near Three R…, CA
Sequoia National Park. Congress Trail.
Nov 22, 2015 near Three R…, CA
General Sherman Tree
Jul 6, 2015 near Three R…, CA
Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park
Jul 6, 2015 near Three R…, CA
Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park
Jul 6, 2015 near Three R…, CA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 92 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 3, 2025
Anonymous
May 23, 2025
Tom Herr
Fun loop going near General Sherman and the museum. The House, Senate and President are the highlights of this hike. Epic! 1.9mi
Aug 15, 2024
Buddy Dunlap
Nov 19, 2023
Sophia Luo
Oct 19, 2023
Eric Philipp
This was by far my favorite hike in the park. 3mi — 1h 29m
Sep 20, 2023
John O'brien
7mi — 9h 30m
Sep 3, 2023
Cevat Akin
Jul 16, 2023
Nathan Roller

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started